A controversial goal from Jamie Cook proved the difference as Oxford United reached the final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory over Oxford City. After Ashley Cain fired United ahead after 62 minutes, Cook doubled the lead with 16 minutes
THE black hole in Oxfordshire's local government pension funds has swollen to £784m, according to new figures from the TaxPayers’ Alliance. The pressure group today claimed that the deficit in council employees’ pension funds grew by £274m
OXFORD has thanked scores of people who turn out to salute fallen service personnel killed in Afghanistan when their bodies are repatriated to the UK. Tonight more than 200 people were recognised at a special ceremony held at Oxford Town Hall
ABOUT 250 Oxfordshire civil servants who work in Jobcentres, tax offices and courts are planning strike action over proposed changes to their redundancy terms. Public and Commercial Services Union members will strike on Monday and Tuesday following a
CHILDREN’S heart surgery has been suspended at the John Radcliffe Hospital because of an investigation into the death of four children. Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust (ORH) said: “We have temporarily suspended the paediatric cardiac surgery
HUNDREDS of people with antique treasures visited Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre today, hoping to appear on a TV show. Film crews from BBC2’s Flog It! were filming at the theatre in the hunt for valuable collectibles. Organisers were aiming
A VICTIM of one of Oxford’s most notorious paedophiles has backed the introduction of a ‘Sarah’s Law’ for Oxfordshire. The new scheme, which will start in August, will allow members of the public to ask police to investigate whether a person in contact
Iris De Balme’s chances of making the cut for the John Smith’s Grand National have improved following the latest forfeit stage. The 2008 Scottish National winner, who is trained by Sean Curran at Hatford, near Stanford in the Vale, is now 62nd in the
THE president of France has given renewed hope to an Oxford man battling to secure the return of his father’s war medals. Tony Berridge, 64, of Horspath, handed over his father Wilfred’s six Second World War medals to a French woman who promised to put
A MOTORIST will be taken to court after travelling at 83mph in a 50mph zone during police speed checks today. Police handed out £60 fines to 15 drivers not wearing seatbelts during checks on the A44, near the Wolvercote roundabout, North Oxford, between
A MOTHER-of-four is blaming her sat nav system after having to dodge 15 oncoming cars in a one-way street. Hayley Townsend had driven from her home in Druce Way, Blackbird Leys to collect friend Emma Craft from Parkhurst Road in Islington, north London
A multi-millionaire has appealed to judges over a divorce settlement which forced him to put his west Oxfordshire country estate on the market. Erik Maurice Robson, 66, was forced to put the Kiddington Hall estate up for sale to comply with his wife’
THE family of a father-of-three who died after he was hit by a car have described him as a passionate football fan who lived life to the full. Richard Smith, 42, of Coopers Square, Chipping Norton, was on foot in Horsefair, Banbury, when a black Audi
The Insider’s eyebrows were raised by revelations contained in the latest Thames Valley Police senior officers’ expenses, which appeared to show Assistant Chief Constable Brian Langston claimed £251.15p back from the taxpayer for petrol while in the
ANIMAL-lovers Bea Bradley (Oxford Mail, January 22) and Mr Butler (February 3) would be better advised to support the victims of the Haiti earthquake. The “Moving God” Miss Bradley writes of drowned all the animals in the world except two of each kind
REGARDING the story about Rose Hill Primary School (Oxford Mail, March 1), you mention that the school was put into special measures in January 2007. It also says it had the “worst Sats tests in Oxfordshire”. The latest Ofsted report, (July 2008),
Guy Davis (Letters, March 1) clearly needs to educate himself. He’s right about the 21st century, but he seems to have got stuck in Life on Mars. He might like to imagine that it is quite normal for writhing naked women to provide him with sexual titillation
As ONE of those actively opposing the granting of the lapdancing licence to Thirst Lodge, I object very strongly to the tone of Mr Guy Davis' letter (Oxford Mail, March 1). I am neither “ridiculous” nor “pathetic”, and am not connected to any church
HOT baths, saunas, and 45-mile jogs across the county are preparing this father-of-one for a gruelling African adventure. Justin Bowyer, 39, of Madeley Park, Witney, is gearing up to take his place in the 78-mile Namibia Ultramarathon in May. The aim
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I have always striven as a critic not to allow my personal circumstances, or any personal agenda, to intrude into what I write. Charles Spencer, the chief drama critic of the Daily Telegraph, evidently has no such scruples. Many times over nearly a decade
By an odd coincidence, I took a call from a member of staff at the NME yesterday as I was about to start this article on one of the magazine’s best-known former contributors, Nick Kent. “NME,” I said tetchily (it was press day and I was on deadline),
Many of us enjoy relaxing with a glass of wine at home but few are able to wander out into the garden and pick the grapes required to make it. But the person who buys Yew Tree Cottage near Bampton will be able to do exactly that, as the five-bedroom
Combining a unique aesthetic, conjured from his twisted imagination, with dark humour and heartfelt emotion, Tim Burton has remained a visionary in a sea of profit-driven conformity. His opening two chapters of the Batman franchise pushed boundaries
Fish pie is one of the many bowl meals that the Tasker family serve at functions. The main difference between theirs and the traditional fish pie is that the potato sits on the bottom of the bowl, rather than on top of the fish. The trick is to get the
It’s great to discover a family working together and making a real success of their business despite the troubled economic times. I am talking about the Tasker family from Wallingford who run Lamb Catering. The company caters for wedding receptions
What would Lewis Carroll have thought of his spontaneous outpourings – let loose one happy day nearly 150 years ago during a trip up the River Thames in Oxford with a boatload of girls – being turned into a film using all the latest special effects
A seedy 1970s pub, a wild beach party ‘down under’ and a bunch of rebellious gods and goddesses may not sound like the traditional ingredients of Orpheus in the Underworld. But this is Unexpected Opera, a delightfully zany, witty and inventive company
The third CD from local chamber choir Commotio features the choral music of former Magdalen scholar James Whitbourn, whose extraordinary clarity of expression and imaginative instrumentation is showcased in this moving and uplifting selection. The title
The car is famously the star of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and, as with many a star, he can prove temperamental at times. At the performance I saw in Milton Keynes last week Chitty’s reluctance to fly led to a couple of hold-ups in proceedings before
So who pulls the pints in paradise? In The Oxfordshire Museum, the landlady smokes, drinks, waves and winks. Where are the health and safety officers to fine the law breakers at Adam and Eve’s bar? Welcome to a virtual world but not of the Nintendo
Scattered is the latest work from Motionhouse. It’s part of the ambitious Swan Dance season, and it explores our relationship with water, and how it surrounds us in different forms throughout our lives. In birth, water ties us to life, and, on a more
Perhaps the only beneficiary from the scandal that followed the leaking of MPs’ expenses, aside from the Daily Telegraph, has been the viewing figures for Armando Ianucci’s political comedy The Thick of It. It has made stars of Peter Capaldi as
POLICE believe a teenage flasher has exposed himself to three women in Oxford and are appealing for any other victims to come forward. The teenager first struck at 12.55pm on Thursday, having leaped out of bushes alongside the River Thames towpath,
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s fourth King Lear of the 21st century features its three-year ensemble company on fine form and Greg Hicks in the title role, working hard, as any RSC Lear now must, to efface memories of Ian McKellen’s superb performance
Satyagraha is English National Opera’s most successful contemporary opera production. Ever. It has – at a generous estimate – seven tunes. This is seven more than most contemporary operas, I hear you say, but when you consider that one of these persists
If you got the answers to last week’s little quiz, you’ll know that the New Theatre on Monday played host to Dave Berry, Mike Pender, Brian Poole and Peter Sarstedt. And, ladies and gentlemen, ‘special guests’ the Swinging Blue Jeans and ‘very special
CHAMPAGNE corks popped as the first daily scheduled flight from London Oxford Airport headed for Scotland. Martin Halstead, the 23-year-old aviation entrepreneur, launched the celebrations in Kidlington before stepping on board the inaugural Varsity
One hundred portraits of Oxford women from all walks of life hang side by side, forming one huge painting that dominates the North Wall Gallery. These powerful paintings are the work of the versatile Oxford artist Susan Moxley, and came out of her need
The power of this exhibition lies in its portraiture of ordinary people defending environments and habitats of which they feel an ownership and about which they are fiercely protective – their homeland. There are many images from Oxfordshire, and nearby
‘I believe your husband has recently snuffed it.” The French charmer Charlot (Michael Fenner) supplies what are hardly les mots justes in addressing the widowed Anna (Lucy Fleming) on her arrival in Paris to stay with her old schoolfriend Nancy (Marlene
THE General Election may still be weeks away, but youngsters across Oxfordshire have alrea-dy marked their cards by choosing the candidates they want to represent them in the UK Youth Parliament. Education, climate change and crime were all on the manifestos
Moon Fool have been touring their show Ill Met by Moonlight under the auspices of Trestle Theatre Company, and they bring a whiff of Central European cabaret to their re-working of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They have produced a very
A PARISH councillor has welcomed a new village footpath – despite coming under fire for backing the initiative. When Weston-on-the-Green Parish Council applied for a grant to build the path alongside Bletchingdon Road, it hoped the 180-metre path, which
Tuesday nights have a warm, firry feeling at The Fir Tree, or at least the last Tuesday of every month does. That’s when the Firry Mic open mic sessions organised by Pete ‘the temp’ Bearder (pictured) and James Thorn take place, packed so tight
Glaswegian foursome Errors formed in 2004 and have worked tirelessly ever since to establish a presence among the big hitters in the UK’s ever-expanding electro scene. They’ve toured with dance legends Underworld, are signed to a label founded by Scottish
Flame-haired Irish singer songwriter Fionn Regan unwittingly stumbled into public consciousness in 2006 when his debut, The End of History, was nominated for the Mercury Prize. It was a slow-burning record, the kind that few people actually heard, but
As a chorister at King’s College, Cambridge, a young Bob Chilcott quickly became familiar with some of the greatest Requiem settings in the choral repertoire – notably those by Fauré and Duruflé, and Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. So when it came to
Matt Payne has stepped down as Henley Hawks captain after being convicted of unlawfully wounding a bouncer by biting off his ear. The 28-year-old back-row forward was last week found guilty of the charge at Oxford Crown Court, but not guilty
Alchester coach Chris Kimber says their first season of competitive rugby is proving a surreal experience. The Bicester-based club, who play at Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, were only founded in 2008 and joined the BB&O Premier Division last September.
Witney's Oxfordshire Cup semi-final against Wallingford will now be played on Sunday, March 28. Hosts Witney wanted to play the match last Sunday, while Wallingford were hoping to play on April 3, which is Easter Saturday, but an agreement has now been
YOUNGSTERS from the Oxford Academy signalled the start of what will be the city’s biggest ever litter-pick. More than 1,500 volunteers will be taking part in this year’s OxClean Spring Clean 2010 tomorrow and Saturday, with community groups tackling
A MUSICIAN fears a return to binge-drinking and vomiting when a new sports bar and nightclub open in the former Bar Risa and Jongleurs premises in Oxford. Cavendish Bars are opening Wahoo Oxford downstairs, while the top floor of the venue will run as
ELMFIELD’S Mick Phipps included a six in his 15 dolls to help whitewash Chauffers 6-0 in the Yarnton Royal British Legion League. RESULTS Gladiator Beer Seller Friday Night League: Alders Oldies 4, Garsington 2; Ox 0, Jolly Postboys 6; Cowley Workers
Former Radley ace Hatti Dean claimed the bronze medal in the senior women’s race at Saturday’s English National Cross Country Championships at Roundhay Park in Leeds. Dean, who now runs for Hallamshire Harriers, finished just 20 seconds off the pace
Former Headington Roadrunner Mara Yamauchi says she is delighted with her progress after she continued her preparations for this year’s London Marathon with a fine victory in the Ohme 30km race in Japan. Yamauchi, who is continuing her recovery from
FATHER and son Geoff and Craig Mace, from the Berinsfield Club, are through to the semi-finals of the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League pairs competition after a 3-1 win over Gladiators’ Bob Pincombe and Phil Clark on the Masons table. The
CHAMPAGNE corks popped as the first daily scheduled flight from London Oxford Airport headed for Edinburgh. Entrepreneur Martin Halstead, 23, launched the celebrations before joining the inaugural Varsity Express flight. Summertown-based Mr Halstead
OXFORD mum-of-two Adele Fowler, whose young son has cystic fibrosis, is taking time out to take part in this year’s OX5 Run. Miss Fowler and her partner have frequently had to take son Caspar, two, to the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Cystic fibrosis
Chipping Norton’s director of golf, Neil Rowlands, finished second in the PGA Southern Region Pro Am at Belek in Turkey. Rowlands carded four-under-par, three shots behind winner Richard Wallis. Chipping Norton’s team of pro Rowlands and amateurs Graham
Oxford City Stars turned on the stytle to run out 9-0 winners against Haringey Greyhounds at Alexandra Palace in Division 1 South. Stars, who have already qualified for the end-of-season play-offs, were missing Nick Eden and Mike Lucas. In contrast
FORMER Abingdon greengrocer Norman Stimpson has died from emphysema at the age of 86. Mr Stimpson was born in Abingdon on November 8, 1923, and had one sister, Evelyn. He joined the Second World War effort in 1941, flying Spitfires and
Three teenagers have been arrested after a boy was stabbed in the backside outside an Oxford community centre. The 16-year-old boy was knifed in the buttocks and legs around nine times in an attack near Blackbird Leys Community Centre in Blackbird
The family of a father-of-three who died after he was hit by a car have paid tribute to a passionate football supporter who lived life to the full. Richard Smith, 42, from Chipping Norton, was a pedestrian in Horsefair, Banbury, when he struck
A 50-year-old man appeared in court today charged with the murder of Bicester mother Lisa Consterdine. During the three-minute hearing at Banbury Magistrates’ Court, Sean Freaney, of Purslane Drive, Bicester, spoke only to confirm his name,
A 50-year-old man appeared in court this morning charged with the murder of Bicester mother Lisa Consterdine. During the three-minute hearing at Banbury Magistrates’ Court, Sean Freaney, of Purslane Drive, Bicester, spoke only to confirm his
The family of a man who died following a collision in Banbury released a tribute today. Richard Smith, 42, of Coopers Square, Chipping Norton, died after a collision with a black Audi A4 on the A361 Horse Fair, Banbury, at about 11.30pm on Sunday.
Farmers, growers, foresters, or food businesses in south Oxfordshire are being urged to pitch for a share in a £1.89m grant pot. A special event has been organised on Friday for individuals and organisations who belive they may qualify for funding through
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Well done to the Drayton Wasps for winning the match, and for some great passing moves which were amongst the best we've seen all season. Comets had one or two chances, and scored with a terrific freekick: from well outside the penalty area
ALEX James has revealed he is writing a Year In Provence-style memoir about his conversion to life in Oxfordshire. The bass player, who is now a successful cheese producer after moving into an Oxfordshire farm, has already put fingers to keyboard
Driving experts questioned the need for Oxford’s 20mph limits after it emerged motorists are still ignoring the restrictions six months after they came into force. We carried out a speed check in Morrell Avenue in East Oxford yesterday and
GARRY KINGETT is a man who saw a problem with drunk youths pitching up to the Sweatbox club. He saw a way to combat that problem – presumably in the hope that the threat of being breathalysed would be enough to keep the kids on the straight
NOT a single driver has been fined for breaking Oxford’s new 20mph limits in six months, which is not surprising but ultimately will not deter many “speeding” motorists. The proportion of drivers breaking the 20mph speed limit dropped by 10 percentage
DRIVING experts last night questioned the need for Oxford’s 20mph limits after it emerged motorists are still ignoring the restrictions six months after they came into force. The Oxford Mail carried out a speed check in Morrell Avenue in East Oxford
THE hype surrounding the new Alice in Wonderland film has led an Oxford woman to discover she is related to the inspiration for the tale. As a child, Lisa Liddell, 38, of Patterson Place, Rose Hill, heard her family discuss the possibility there was
Oxford University 40, Penguins 26 Oxford University ended their season with an entertaining six-try victory at Iffley Road tonight. The Penguins included Wasps’ rugby league convert Lee Smith at full back and Oxford’s 1987 Varsity Match skipper Bill
Matty Taylor bagged a four-timer as North Leigh hammered Gosport Borough 5-1 in the Zamaretto Southern League tonight. Taylor’s star turn came as the hosts made it eight Division 1 South & West matches without defeat. They went ahead on two minutes
Oxford United boss Chris Wilder said he wasn’t disappointed to pick up only a point at Cambridge last night – even though rivals Stevenage won 6-0 away at Eastbourne. Graham Westley’s team closed the gap at the top to four points, and did their goal
